Eighth Place: The Quickest Cars of 2007: $20,000 to $25,000

The Cobalt SS Supercharged is the Saturn Ion Red Line's mechanical kissing cousin, but tuning differences imbue them with different personalities. For one thing, the Cobalt feels longer and heavier, and its dogged sense of straight-ahead makes it a better long-distance interstate cruiser. Speaking of which, its rear seat will accommodate three actual adult humans.

But the Cobalt is also pockmarked by a few of the Ion's pimples--artificial steering feel, a heavy clutch, and an edge to its 205-horse 2.0-liter Ecotec, which leans toward thrashiness above four grand and wants to hang onto revs a little too long when you jump off the gas. Then there are those long doors, which aid ingress but are quick to remind of their length in tight parking spaces. Remember the Camaro?

In this group, the Cobalt SS is solid and friendly, but it lacks the visceral feedback of the Subaru or the sporty steering of the Mazda or the Lexus-like refinement of the Camry or the look-at-me styling of the Mitsubishi. A car has to do at least one thing really well to become an all-star. As it is, the Cobalt SS is just another competent player, resting its huge rear spoiler on the vehicular bench.